All the latest news from the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Moutain Rescue Team http://www.twsmrt.org.uk http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c550 07.00 hrs Call out to search for missing female near Darlington. SARDA dog deployed along with 3 search groups, Search of farmland - nothing found. Team re commenced planned exercise back up on the snowbound fells. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c550 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c551 Team members assists police to search and recover a stranded motorist who was stuck in the snow. Team members used 4 X 4 vehicles to access the motorist and recovery down to Stanhope. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c551 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c552 Team placed on Standby to assist Swaledale MRT to assist in the search and recovery of a snowbound motorist in Arkengarthdale. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c552 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c549 12.15 hrs Call out to search for missing female in the Chester-le-Street area. Team search groups including SARDA dogs, Canoe group and swiftwater technicians deployed. More details to follow. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c549 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c548 Team put on standby for missing male from Darlington area. Missing person returned home some hours later. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c548 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c547 Requested by Ambulance Service to assist with evacuation of an injured dog walker from Hamsterley Forest. Met with NEAS ambulance and escorted it from the icy tracks within the forest back to tarmaced roads. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c547 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=67 Rescue Team Find Missing Man Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were called out in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) to search for a 64 year old man missing from the Crook area. The search was concentrated on the Waskerley Way footpath near Consett Co. Durham. Fifteen mountain rescue volunteers and a mountain rescue search dog were involved. Dave Bartles-Smith, team leader said 'Within 30 minutes of the search commencing our search dog, which was on its first callout since qualifying, indicated he had made a find. On investigation we found the body of the missing man'. Steve Owers Press Officer 28/01/10 1215hrs http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=67 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=66 Countryfile's Matt Baker Helps Out Rescue Team (UPDATE) Matt Baker, the presenter of Countryfile, carried out a book signing of the new Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team book '40 years and counting' in the Durham store of Cotswold Outdoors on Saturday 23 February. Matt had kindly written the foreword to the book, reminding us of his initial attachment to Mountain Rescue, when a pup from his dog Meg, joined the Rescue Dogs (SARDA) of Scotland. The progress of 'Corrie' was closely followed by fans, whilst Matt was presenting Blue Peter. Matt said of the Team, 'All the members of the Team are volunteers and they do a really excellent job. The book is a history of the Team so far and has some interesting stories of rescues that they done and all of the money raised from the sales of this book are going towards a 2nd Land Rover for the Team - so buy one now! ' Anthony Tubbs from the team said 'We had a very successful day with dozens of people coming into the store to see Matt. We would like to thank him as well as Cotswold Outdoor staff in helping to give our book a great launch' The book is available instore or online from Cotswold Outdoor, and also from the Team website www.twsmrt.org.uk at a price of 9.99 Steve Owers Press Officer 25/01/10 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=66 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=65 Countryfile's Matt Baker Helps Out Rescue Team Matt Baker former Blue Peter presenter and front man for BBC's popular Countryfile programme is helping out Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team. The Team have published a book to celebrate their 40th birthday and Matt who was born in County Durham has not only written the forward but has agreed to sign copies of the book at its launch. Cotswold Outdoor Store in Silver St, Durham City have agreed to host the launch on Saturday 23 January. They will also be selling the book on behalf of the team. Matt will be signing books in the store from 3:30pm for about an hour and the team hope lots of people will come along and meet him and some of the team members including its search and rescue dogs. Chris Roberts, Deputy Team Leader said 'We decided that we wanted a book that would give an in depth insight into the Team, and not just a list of the things that we do. The book goes into the Team's history and gives some personal reflections of this. We have included a chapter about the area that we cover to give the reader an understanding of why we are a 'Mountain' Rescue Team. There is a chapter where Team members reflect on memorable moments during their time with the Team; and some interesting rescue stories that Team members have been involved whilst involved in their own outdoor pursuits, which in some cases gave them reason to join the Team. There are also chapters relating to the Team structure and operation. We have also included a list of Callouts, which are always good to dip into - due to our recent period of numerous incidents this is already out of date, a - 2nd edition may have to accommodate these' He added 'Like all good ideas it needed someone to actually do the work. We were very lucky to have a Team member who's wife wanted the chance to do 'a bit of writing'. Kathrine High took on the job of collating information, getting Team members to write stories, listening to stories from those that don't like writing; in fact putting the whole thing together. It has taken just over a year to get the book finished'. Dave Bartles-Smith Team Leader said 'All money raised from the sale of the book will go towards the purchase of an additional team vehicle. It has become apparent that we need another 4x4 vehicle to transport team members and assist at incidents. During the recent bad weather we have attended over 50 incidents all of which required this type of vehicle'. '40 Years And Counting' will be available via the Teams website www.twsmrt.org.uk , and at the Cotswold Outdoor store in Durham City for 9.99. NOTE TO EDITOR/REPORTER - All media respresntatives are welcome at the launch of the book at 3:30pm on Saturday 23rd January in the Cotswold Outdoor store in Silver St, Durham City. Team contact on the day will be Anthony Tubbs 07890 993 590 Steve Owers Press Officer http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=65 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=64 Major Search For Missing Fisherman Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team are currently involved in a major search for a fisherman missing on the North East coast of County Durham. Team Leader Dave Bartles-Smith said 'The fisherman is believed to have been fishing near Blackhall Rocks in County Durham. Fifteen mountain rescue personnel from Teesdale and Weardale and the Cleveland mountain rescue team are working with the Coastguard, police and an RAF Sea King helicopter to locate the gentleman'. Further details regarding the search will be issued when available. Steve Owers Press Officer 07876 132030 13-01-10 1445hrs Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team are affiliated to Mountain Rescue England and Wales. We provide a Search and Rescue service throughout County Durham and beyond, primarily for the Police but also for the other emergency services. All Team members are volunteers and we rely on monies raised by ourselves as a registered charity to run the Team. Further details regarding our latest callouts and Team information can be found on our website www.twsmrt.org.uk http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=64 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=62 Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team have been assisting the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) non stop for the last 5 days because of the severe weather. Dave Bartles-Smith Team leader said " We have been able to provide one of our 4x4 vehicles with a driver and advance casualty carer to assist NEAS non stop since last Wednesday morning. During that time we have assisted with a wide variety of emergency medical calls, transporting patients to hospital for dialysis, ensuring ambulance service staff can get to work and assisting with ambulances stuck in the snow. We have also assisted the police in the search for missing persons following an RTC near Tow Law. and taking food to the owners of a remote animal sanctuary in the Stanhope area. I am proud that a voluntary organisation of the size of the Weardale and Teesdale team have been able to maintain this service over the last 5 days. As the forecast predicts conditions will not improve before the end of the week we are making plans to maintain this service for as long as it is required". Paul Fell spokesperson for NEAS said " The Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team have assisted us in over 40 incidents in the last few days. Other voluntary organisations have also assisted for which we are very grateful but the Teesdale and Weardale team are the only organisation which has been able to proved us with 24 hr assistance. Their help has been invaluable in maintain patient care within County Durham". NOTE TO EDITORS - The Team are still dealing with the incident at the animal sanctuary near Stanhope mentioned above. a further press release will be issued later today with pictures giving more details. Steve Owers Press Officer 07876 132030 10-01-10 1510hrs Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team are affiliated to Mountain Rescue England and Wales. We provide a Search and Rescue service throughout County Durham and beyond, primarily for the Police but also for the other emergency services. All Team members are volunteers and we rely on monies raised by ourselves as a registered charity to run the Team. Further details regarding our latest callouts and Team information can be found on our website www.twsmrt.org.uk http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=62 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=63 Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team this afternoon (Sunday) have been involved in re supplying a remote animal sanctuary in County Durham. Weardale Animal Sanctuary near Stanhope Co. Durham, has been cut off since Christmas day and were starting to run out of food for both the animals and the owners Dave and Sally Rowley. Pets at Home store in Durham have been collecting pet food for the sanctuary and made a special delivery today but could only get as far as Stanhope. Local PC Frank Hewitson and 3 members of the Teesdale and Weardale Team then loaded the food into 2 4X4 vehicles and set off to the farm. Scott Bissett Team spokesperson said " The farm was in a remote location to the North of Stanhope. Despite deep snow we were able to get within 300metres of the farm. We then loaded all of the supplies onto 2 sledges and pulled them across the fields to the sanctuary. I think the owners were very pleased to see us". NOTE TO EDITOR - Pictures are available on our web site www.twsmrt.org.uk 02 - Police and rescue team set off across fields 04 - Food waiting to be transported 7 - Approaching sanctuary 8 -Animals being fed 11 - Team members approach animal sanctuary 22 - Andy Maddison TWSMRT, Dave Rowley Owner, Dave Bartles-Smith TWSMRT, PC Frank Hewitson. All Picture by Scott Bissett Steve Owers Press Officer 07876 132030 10-01-10 1545hrs http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=63